ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 24. The Executive
Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, with
support from a grant provided by the French Development Agency
(AFD), has conducted extensive research in the Syr Darya River
Basin, covering both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Trend reports via the
Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan.
The research aims to refine the hydromodule zoning of the basin
area based on climate data, soil characteristics, and other natural
and irrigation-related factors.
In Kazakhstan, the project covers 550,000 hectares of irrigated
land in the Turkestan region and 254,000 hectares in the Kyzylorda
region. Comprehensive ground-based research and measurements have
commenced, running in parallel with satellite studies to ensure
accurate and comprehensive data collection. Fieldwork and
monitoring are being conducted across four pilot sites in the
Turkestan and Kyzylorda regions.
The Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Water Management,
along with the Scientific Information Center of the Interstate
Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia, based in
Uzbekistan, are actively involved in the project. The hydromodule
zoning of the Syr Darya Basin is being conducted using advanced
geographic information systems (GIS) and Earth remote sensing
technologies.
The findings from this research are expected to guide the
development of irrigated agriculture by optimizing water usage,
improving water efficiency in the Syr Darya Basin, enhancing crop
yields, reducing soil salinity, mitigating land degradation, and
fostering better environmental conditions in the region. The
project is scheduled for completion by 2026.
According to Talgat Momyshev, Deputy Minister of Water Resources
and Irrigation, "Over 35% of Kazakhstan's irrigated land lies
within the Aral-Syr Darya Basin, an area where water resources are
under significant strain, with up to 98% of water consumption
directed towards agriculture. The existing hydromodule zoning does
not reflect the considerable changes of the past four decades,
including shifts in climate, soil conditions, and land reclamation
status. Therefore, it is imperative to reassess the boundaries and
revise irrigation practices accordingly."
